- A/C
-
An abbreviation for across corners
Across Corners
- An abbreviation for across corners
- Indicates the distance on a nut or bolt head from one corner to the opposite corner rather than the distance from one flat surface (A/F) to the opposite.
- The A/F measurement determines the size of wrench needed to install or remove the nut or bolt.
- The A/C measurement determines the size of hole needed to insert a recessed nut or bolt head.
- Acronym for alternating current.
- Acronym for air conditioning or air
conditioner.
- Sometimes spelled "A/C" or "A.C."
- Symbol for actinium
- The transformation temperature on heating of the phase changes of iron or steel, subscripts indicating the designated change, e.g., Ac1 is the eutectoid (723°C) and Ac3 the ferrite/austenite phase boundary.
- Acronym for Asphaltic concrete.
- A mixture of asphalt cement, graded aggregate, mineral filler, and additives.
- An abbreviation for across corners
- AC
- A vehicle brand built by the AC Cars Group, Limited of which the 1925-48 models are classic cars.
- AC Ace
-
A vehicle brand built by the AC Cars Group, Limited of which the 1954-61 Ace models are milestone cars.
1956 AC Ace
- AC Aceca
-
A vehicle brand built by the AC Cars Group, Limited
AC Aceca
- Pronounced ah-SEEK-uh
- The 1955-61 Aceca models are milestone cars.
- ACAP
- Acronym for Associação do comércio automovóvel de Portugal
- AC balancer
- An arrangement of transformers used to equalize the voltages between the wires of a multiple-wire system.
- AC Buckland
-
A vehicle brand of which the 1949 Buckland Open Tourer is a milestone car.
AC Buckland
- Acc
- Abbreviation for accessories.
- ACC
-
- Acronym for Automatic Cruise Control.
- A term found on a Cruise control switch which indicates the direction the switch needs to be moved to increase the speed (accelerate) of the vehicle.
- Acronym for Air Conditioning Clutch
- Acronym for Automatic Climate Control
- ACCC
- Acronym for air conditioner clutch compressor signal
- accelerate
-
- To increase the speed of a vehicle. Opposite of Decelerate.
- To increase the speed of a chemical reaction
- To speed up the chemical reaction or curing process of an adhesive.
- For example, you can speed up the drying time of an adhesive or sealer by increasing the temperature or by adding a chemical curing agent, or accelerator, to a base compound.
- Accelerating-well ports
- These ports or passageways in the Carburetor prevent momentary leanness during the period that occurs between the opening of the air valve and the actual discharge of fuel from the secondary nozzles.
- Acceleration
-
The rate of change of velocity or speed.
- Velocity is steady and is measured in distance per time (e.g., feet per second, miles per hour, kilometers per hour).
- Acceleration keeps increasing and is measured in velocity per time (e.g., feet (or meters) per second per second or feet (or meters) per second squared).
- It is a vector quantity and has both magnitude and direction.
- It may be positive or negative depending upon whether the object is speeding up or slowing down.
- The latter is often called Deceleration.
- Acceleration enrichment
- The action of increasing the fuel/air mixture during acceleration in order to improve the vehicle's speed and its smooth response.
- Acceleration stress
-
The influence of acceleration (or deceleration) on certain physiological
parameters of the human body.
- The degree of tolerance depends on the magnitude and duration of the acceleration as well as the direction of the force against his body.
- Acceleration tolerance
- The maximum acceleration force that a person can withstand before blacking out or otherwise losing control.
- Accelerator
-
Click image to supersize
- In automobiles, this is the gas pedal which is attached by
Linkage to the
Throttle in the
Carburetor or to the
Fuel injection system.
- It regulates the amount of fuel which is sent to the engine.
- In Motorcycles, the accelerator is located on the right-hand twist grip or an actuating lever.
- Also called throttle linkage.
- A chemical which is added to something to make a process happen more quickly.
- For example, a chemical may be added to paint to cause it to dry faster.
- The opposite is retarder.
- A material added to an adhesive to speed up its cure or to chemically convert the whole mass to a solid.
- Accelerators differ from catalysts in that they are a part of the chemical reaction and lose their chemical identity as a result.
- Any substance increasing the speed of the vulcanization process of rubber.
- In automobiles, this is the gas pedal which is attached by
Linkage to the
Throttle in the
Carburetor or to the
Fuel injection system.
- Accelerator pedal
- The accelerator, Gas pedal, or Throttle pedal.
- Accelerator pump
-
An auxiliary carburetor pump
- A small cylinder and piston usually located inside the carburetor that sprays an extra amount of fuel into the engine during acceleration.
- It improves acceleration by giving more boost and reducing a momentary lag in power.
- It is actuated by fully depressing the throttle pedal.
- Accelerometer
- An instrument which measures the amount of acceleration in a specific direction.
- Acceptable quality level
- (AQL) A manufactured good that may not be perfect but does reach a level of shape, size, and performance, etc. that will make it work and last as long as the manufacturer expects.
- Acceptance
-
- The act of receiving and signing for a shipment by the consignee which terminates the carrier's contract and obligation.
- A consignee's promise to pay the shipping costs by signing and dating the bill for the goods and acknowledging any indebtedness to the company who shipped the goods.
- Acceptance test
- An examination of a part or its assembly to determine if it meets a prescribed standard.
- Access Cab
-
A pickup truck (by Toyota) which has a second row of seating
- Unlike a crew cab (which has four full size doors) it has a half-door that can be opened only after the main door is opened.
- The seating is usually a little more cramped than in a crew cab.
- Other manufacturers call it
Also see
- Access hole
-
An opening through which you can reach something
- It is usually covered with a removable panel for aesthetic or safety reasons to hide wiring, hoses, etc.
- Accessorial
- An extra activity or material beyond normal handling and storage for which the client will be billed.
- Accessories
- Items and packages of equipment which are beyond the standard equipment supplied in a new vehicle.
- Accessory gearbox
- A transmission, driven remotely from the main engine, to which other items (e.g., generator, pumps) are mounted.
- Accessory package
- A set of features or appointments which may be ordered at extra cost on a new vehicle.
- Access panel
-
- The Cover which conceals the engine on a
Mid-engine vehicle.
- Also called Engine cover
- A decorative plate which covers an access hole
Also see - The Cover which conceals the engine on a
Mid-engine vehicle.
- Access road
-
A temporary or permanent road over which timber is transported from a loading
site to a public road.
- Also called a haul road
- Access slots
- Openings in the brake backing plates or brake drums that allow you to reach the Star-wheel adjusters
- AC circuit
- A circuit which passes only alternating current as opposed to direct current, e.g., it may have a capacitor in series, which blocks direct current.
- Accommodation Ladder
- A portable set of steps attached to the side of a ship to permit people to board from small boats or from a pier.
- Accumulator
-
- A storage battery for an electric car.
- A part of a hydraulic system filled with nitrogen gas and used to store high pressure fluid to provide pressure assistance for system operation.
- A pressurized container for an automatic leveling suspension system.
- A part of the hydraulic system which is charged by the fluid pump, absorbs fluctuating fluid delivery, stores fluid at pressure, and can provide a rapid flow of fluid under pressure.
- A device in the fuel line between the pump and filter that keep up the fuel pressure when the fuel pump is off thus preventing vapor lock and excessive fuel pump noise in having to build up pressure when needed
- A vessel that stores hydraulic fluid under pressure.
- A storage tank which receives liquid refrigerant from the evaporator and prevents it from flowing into the suction line before vaporizing.
- A refrigerant storage device used on General Motors and Ford systems
that receives vapor and liquid refrigerant from the evaporator.
- The accumulator, which contains desiccant, performs a function similar to that of a receiver-drier it separates liquid from the vapor, retains the liquid and releases the vapor to the compressor.
- Always located on the low side of the system.
- Accumulator box
- A vessel usually made of plastic which contains the plates and electrolyte of an accumulator.
- Accumulator drier
-
A device which is part of the air conditioning system.
- It is made up of a tank, filter, drying agent, and a vapor return tube.
- It is usually found on the evaporator outlet.
- It stores the excess refrigerant and removes the moisture from the refrigerant (thus the name drier).
Also see
- Accumulator grid
- The lead grid which forms one of the plates of a lead-acid accumulator having pasted plates.
- Accumulator piston
- A unit found in the automatic transmission to assist the Servo to apply the Brake band quickly and smoothly.
- Accumulator system
- In an automatic transmission, it includes a hydraulic accumulator piston which is controlled by a valve.
- Accumulator valve
- A device which operates the hydraulic accumulator piston in an automatic transmission.
- AC current sine wave
- Wave form of single frequency alternating current; wave whose displacement is sine of angle proportional to time or distance.
- ACEA
- Acronym for Association des Constructeurs européens d'Automobiles (i.e., European Automobile Manufacturers' Association).
- Acetone
- A fast drying solvent used in some rapid drying adhesives, such as nitrile rubber, or vinyl resin-based types
- Acetylene
- A gas composed of two parts of carbon and two parts of hydrogen.
- When burned in an atmosphere of oxygen, it produces one of the highest flame temperatures obtainable for welding.
Also see
- Acetylene cylinder
-
A specially built container manufactured according to I.C.C. Standards.
Acetylene Cylinder
- Used to store and ship acetylene.
- Also called acetylene tank or acetylene bottle
- Acetylene hose
- A flexible medium used to carry gases from regulators to the torch.
- It is made of fabric and rubber.
- Acetylene regulator
- An automatic valve used to reduce acetylene cylinder pressures to torch pressures and to keep the pressures constant.
- AC generator
-
AC Generator
- An electromagnetic generator for producing alternating EMF and delivering AC to an outside circuit.
- A generator produces direct current (DC) while an alternator produces alternating current
(AC).
- Because alternators were introduced to automobile electrical systems after generators had been in use for some time, some people referred to the new alternator as AC generator.
- Achieva
-
A model of automobile built by Oldsmobile from 1992-98. Built on the N-chassis.
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Oldsmobile Achieva
- Acid deposition
- After acid compounds are sent into the atmosphere (e.g., through
a smokestack), it returns to the surface mixed with the rain.
Also see
- Acidity
- The presence of acid-type constituents whose concentration is
usually defined in terms of
Neutralization number.
- The constituents vary in nature and may or may not markedly influence the behavior of the oil.
- Acid mine drainage
- Water pollution that results when sulfur-bearing minerals
associated with coal are exposed to air and water and form
sulfuric acid and ferrous sulfate.
- The ferrous sulfate can further react to form ferric hydroxide, or yellowboy, a yellow-orange iron precipitate found in streams and rivers polluted by acid mine drainage.
- Acid process
- A way of making steel where the iron has a low level of phosphorous and the
furnace is lined with silicon.
Also see
- Acid rain
-
- When the smoke created by factories and vehicle exhausts is
taken by the wind and joined with rain clouds, the mixture is
often acidic.
- As a result the rain that falls to the ground (and even on your car) may damage whatever it strikes.
- A form of wet deposition
in which acid molecules or particles in the atmosphere are
returned to the surface having been washed out by rain or snow
as it falls.
- The unnatural acidity (pH 3-5.5) is caused mainly by the oxides of sulfur and nitrogen from the burning of coal and oil.
- Precipitation containing harmful amounts of nitric and
sulfuric acids formed primarily by sulfur dioxide and nitrogen
oxides released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are
burned.
- It can be wet precipitation (rain, snow, or fog) or dry precipitation (absorbed gaseous and particulate matter, aerosol particles or dust).
- Acid rain has a pH below 5.6.
- Normal rain has a pH of about 5.6, which is slightly acidic.
- The term pH is a measure of acidity or alkalinity and ranges from 0 to 14.
- A pH measurement of 7 is regarded as neutral.
- Measurements below 7 indicate increased acidity, while those above indicate increased alkalinity.
- Also called acid precipitation or acid deposition
- When the smoke created by factories and vehicle exhausts is
taken by the wind and joined with rain clouds, the mixture is
often acidic.
- Ackermann steering
-
Ackermann steering
- A double-pivoting steering system where the outer ends of the
Steering arms are bent slightly inward so
that when the vehicle is making a turn, the inside wheel will turn more
sharply than the outer wheel.
- This is done to compensate for the greater distance the outside wheel must travel.
- Notice 20 degrees on left wheel and 30 degrees on right wheel
- Arrangement whereby a line extended from the track-arms, when the wheels are set straight ahead, should meet on the chassis centerline at 2/3 of the wheelbase from the front, allowing the inner stub-axle to move through a greater angle than the outer.
- A double-pivoting steering system where the outer ends of the
Steering arms are bent slightly inward so
that when the vehicle is making a turn, the inside wheel will turn more
sharply than the outer wheel.
- Ackermann angle
- The toe-out or toe-in of a vehicle with Ackermann steering when the wheels are positioned straight ahead.
- Ackermann axle
- In a vehicle with Ackermann steering (at the front of the vehicle), it is a non-rotating axle that is steerable and has two pivot points (one on each end of the axle) with vertical Kingpins.
- ACL BI-MET
- Acronym for air cleaner bi-metal sensor.
- ACL DV
- Acronym for air cleaner duct and valve vacuum motor.
- Acorn Die
- A form of threading die for use in screw machines.
- The cutting portion resembles an acorn.
- Acorn Nut
- A blind tapped hex nut with an acorn shaped top.
- Provides sealing for projecting threaded parts.
- Acoustics
-
- The science of sound waves including production and propagation properties.
- The characteristics of the interior of a car which determine the quality of sound transmission inside.
- Acquisition fee
- A charge for processing a vehicle lease and is probably not
negotiable.
- On a shorter term lease, the acquisition fee can have a large impact on the cost of the lease.
- Across corners
-
(A/C) The distance on a nut (for instance) from one corner to the opposite corner rather than the distance from one flat surface (A/F) to the opposite (which would be the size of wrench needed to install or remove the nut).
Across Corners
- The purpose of the A/C dimension is to know how large a hole might be needed to insert a recessed nut.
- Across flats
-
(A/F) The distance on a nut (for instance) from one flat surface to the opposite flat surface, i.e., this is the size of the wrench needed to install or remove the nut.
Across Flats
Also see
- ACR tubing
- Acronym for Air conditioning and refrigeration tubing.
- The ends are sealed to keep tubing clean and dry.
- Acrylate
- A polymer used to strengthen rubber (e.g., Ethyl acrylate).
- Acrylic finish
- A final coating of paint which uses
acrylic paint, often where the pigment and an
acrylic paint are mixed together.
Also see
- Acrylic resin
- A thermoplastic synthetic polymer made by polymerizing an acrylic
derivative such as acrylonitrile, acrylic acid, ethyl acrylate, and
methacrylate.
- It is used for adhesives, protective coatings, and paint finishes.
- ACS
-
- Acronym for active control system
- Acronym for air conditioning system
- Acronym for attitude control system
- AC Shelby Cobra
-
A vehicle brand of which the 1962-67 Shelby Cobra models are milestone cars.
AC Shelby Cobra
- ACT
-
- Acronym for air charge temperature.
- Acronym for active control technology
- Activated alumina
- Chemical which is a form of aluminum oxide.
- It is used as a drier or desiccant
- Activated carbon
- A very porous carbon that is used to strain liquid leaving behind impurities on the carbon and the pure substance going through it
- Activated carbon canister
- An automotive filter in which activated
carbon has been placed so that gas tank fuel vapors, which have accumulated
when the vehicle is not running, are trapped in the filter.
- When the engine is running, hot air is forced into the filter and push out the vapors into the engine.
- In this way, pollution is reduced and conservation of the fuel is maintained.
- Also called activated charcoal trap or charcoal canister.
- Activating agent
- A substance which is used to speed up the process of curing a tire.
- Also called an activator
- Activator
- A substance which is used to speed up the process of curing a tire.
- Also called activating agent.
- Activation polarization
- Activation polarization is present when the rate of electrochemical reaction
at an electrode surface is controlled by sluggish electrode kinetics.
- This is similar to chemical reactions where the reacting species must overcome an activation barrier.
- For Fuel cells, this region is characterized by a drop from the theoretical EMF or ideal voltage prior to electron or ion flow.
- Active Area cell
- The surface area of an individual Fuel
cell that is available for chemical reaction.
- The active area is typically less than the total area of a cell to accommodate cooling, distribution, and sealing mechanisms.
- Active braking time
- The length of time (excluding the driver's reaction time) a vehicle takes to come to a complete stop after the brakes are applied.
- Active control system
- (ACS) A flight control system designed to improve the performance and behavior of an airplane.
- Active material
- In a storage battery, the brown peroxide of lead of the positive plates and the gray metallic lead of the negative plates upon which the sulfuric acid acts.
- Active power
- The component of electric power that performs work, typically
measured in kilowatts (kW) or megawatts (MW).
- Also known as Real power.
Also see
- Active safety
- The opposite of passive safety.
- Passive safety involves Seat belts, airbags, Bumpers, etc. so that in the event of an accident the passengers are protected.
- Active safety involves factors which will assist the Driver in avoiding an accident.
- They include brakes, steering, handling response, acceleration, etc.
- Active solar
- Energy from the sun collected and stored using mechanical pumps or fans to circulate heat-laden fluids or air between solar collectors and a building or vehicle.
- Active suspension
- While conventional Suspension uses springs and
Shock absorbers to isolate the vehicle from the
bouncing movement of the wheels when it contacts rough roads, active suspension uses
power actuators which are controlled by a Computer.
- These actuators place the wheels of the vehicle in the best position to accommodate rough roads as well as compensate for different load Levels.
- AC transformer
- An electromagnetic device which alters the voltage and current of an
alternating current supply in inverse ratio to one another.
- It has no moving parts and is very efficient.
- ACTS
- Acronym for air charge temperature sensor.
- Actual cash value
- (ACV) The amount of money a dealer has invested in the purchase of a used vehicle plus any additional costs to repair the unit in order to get it ready for resale.
- Actuating system
- The parts of a brake system that transmit the braking force applied at the brake pedal to the wheel friction assemblies and increase it to a usable level.
- Actuator
-
- A device which controls or operates another device.
- A regulating valve which converts a form of energy into mechanical motion to open or close the valve seats
- A device which responds to an output signal from a computer.
- The portion of a regulating valve which converts mechanical fluid, thermal energy, or electrical energy into mechanical motion to open or close the valve seats
- Actuator arm
- A linkage connecting the diaphragm to the contact breaker platform in an advance
mechanism of a distributor.
- Also called diaphragm link.
- Acura
-
An upscale series of vehicles from the Honda manufacturers. It includes the following:
Click logo for books on
Acura- CL (1997-2003)
- Integra (1988-2001)
- Legend (1988-95)
- MDX (2001-07)
- NSX (1991-2005)
- RDX (2007-2009)
- RL (1996-2008)
- RSX (2002-06)
- SLX (1996-99)
- TL (1995-2008)
- TSX (2004-08)
- Vigor (1992-94)
- ACV
-
- Acronym for actual cash value
- Acronym for air control valve
- Acronym for air cushion vehicle (i.e., hovercraft).